Here are the original exhaust manifolds. A little bummed out about them because the p/n's and dates are unreadable. Though one of the dates appear to be "B 28 9". Story was they sat outside beside a shed for years because it had headers on it. So I'm sure if I want to run these or save them and run a pair that are more legible. But at least I have them.

Well I guess I can't have everything I was missing the original Water pump, had a replacement. Something had to go bad after 10-12 years on the road. So I was able to locate this long Water pump with the correct cast # 3953692 and date correct B 28 9 (Feb 28 '69)

I think you lucked out finding both the smog & water pump. Its always a good feeling finding the correct parts.

Yeah Austin, Considering I was able to line up the dates within a couple weeks like all the originals... I'm pleased The Smog pump is a 07191S (March 12th '69) and I'll post though not the original as soon as I get it which should be a day or 2. I had to drop 5 large beans ($500) for the pair but I don't think I'd find them much cheaper than that. Plus the dates were right there and I didn't want to let them go.

Darrell, did you get my email about Bill Mock? He is one of the best when it comes to water pump rebuild and restoration. I know he has many dates already in his stock that are rebuilt and ready to go. I think I bought my correct dated and coded big block water pump for my 66 chevelle for around $250. Rebuilt and ready to go. He uses American parts to rebuild and offers a lifetime warranty. But since you have yours already purchased you might contact him about rebuilding yours. You won't be disappointed. He is a great guy! I emailed you his contact info. Let me know if you didn't get it.

Darrell, did you get my email about Bill Mock? He is one of the best when it comes to water pump rebuild and restoration. I know he has many dates already in his stock that are rebuilt and ready to go. I think I bought my correct dated and coded big block water pump for my 66 chevelle for around $250. Rebuilt and ready to go. He uses American parts to rebuild and offers a lifetime warranty. But since you have yours already purchased you might contact him about rebuilding yours. You won't be disappointed. He is a great guy! I emailed you his contact info. Let me know if you didn't get it.

Re the VIN stamp on the engine.. Anything is possible, but not having one is not probable...

I have emails regarding 2 and have seen an additional 2 DZ blocks which had been vatted, no paint on them, built between mid March and mid April with no VIN anywhere, not in any angle, any light, going so far as to invert colors and use filters in photoshop, obviously there were many Z's built during the period however to find between 2 and possibly 4 from my postings about this years ago illustrates they are around. Perhaps the confusion resulted from the phasing in of Firebirds to Norwood from Lordstown in April of 69, can you imagine? Pacecars, COPO's, Z28's, RA Firebirds and then in May Trams Ams... Holy crap the number of parts on the assembly line would likely increase by 30% is that correct?

Re the VIN stamp on the engine.. Anything is possible, but not having one is not probable...

I have emails regarding 2 and have seen an additional 2 DZ blocks which had been vatted, no paint on them, built between mid March and mid April with no VIN anywhere, not in any angle, any light, going so far as to invert colors and use filters in photoshop, obviously there were many Z's built during the period however to find between 2 and possibly 4 from my postings about this years ago illustrates they are around. Perhaps the confusion resulted from the phasing in of Firebirds to Norwood from Lordstown in April of 69, can you imagine? Pacecars, COPO's, Z28's, RA Firebirds and then in May Trams Ams... Holy crap the number of parts on the assembly line would likely increase by 30% is that correct?

Those VIN stamps in the cast surface are EXTREMELY difficult to see and read, vatted or not. it took me a LONG time to be able to see mine, cleaned, using varying lights, etc before I saw one character; once you see a character the others begin to be seen (I think by our brain processors using correlation techniques .. it took me even longer before I was able to get proper lighting, exposure, etc to get a decent photograph of it.

Also, I believe one could have gone to a Chevrolet dealer in March of 1969, and bought a 302 short block assembly (or a bare block); the pad would not be stamped with anything, but it would have appropriate casting numbers and casting date in the block...

but yes, it's possible (NOT probable) that one could have been missed.. people (most people) are human and make mistakes.. 2 or 3 missed blocks for VIN stamping.. from how many thousands?... is a very improbable event.

Maybe the ones I saw were over the counter replacements, the one I purchased could have been a fitted block it was std bore with pistons and rods no crank, really did not look like it had been run. Because I had a complete +.020 12.5 pistons on eagle rods which were large and small end equalized with the original 1178 knife-edged and balanced we just bored it .020 and used that assembly.I have the near perfect std bore pistons and rods boeshielded and wrapped in neutral PH paper up in the attic.